It got lost amid the chaos of the final innings of last night's victory, but Jayson Werth departed early after complaining of tired legs. It's a concern he's had all along as he returns from a broken wrist, and on Sunday he noted that "my legs are still a little behind, but everything else feels good." Well, apparently the issue is significant enough that Werth isn't starting tonight's game in Houston. Roger Bernadina will now start in center field, with Bryce Harper in right field.

Meanwhile, Cesar Izturis will be in uniform and available to make his Nationals debut, one day after the veteran infielder was claimed off waivers from the Brewers. He'll come off the bench, as will Kurt Suzuki, who after catching all 11 innings last night is replaced by Jesus Flores for this game.

Ross Detwiler gets the nod, looking to build off one of the best starts of his career when he tossed seven scoreless innings against the Phillies. Right-hander Jordan Lyles starts for the Astros, who have now lost 31 of their last 35 games.

As you know, I'm not in Houston for this series. Please enjoy the conversation as always…

Before anyone gets too worked up….The Orioles just won their 12th straight extra inning game. Now just stop and think about that. Are they geniuses in extra innings and bad at every other part of the game? One of their players just said their success in extra innings was because their players fight harder than other players.Why don't they fight so hard in regular innings?

Stop with the jinxing of the Park!! There's still 2 games left here and then its off the play the Diamond Rags (excuse the use of the U of M student news rag) and then the Giants who may have the best park in baseball and team that is smarting from getting swept by these Nats.

Funny how left field is supposedly Bernadina's best position, yet his two most impressive web gems have come from centerfield. He takes funny routs on some plays and I am pretty sure his next best web gem was from his efforts in left field. And that is considered his best position. In any case he is better than everyone else currently on the club when it comes to running routes to the ball except possibly for Werth. If they brought Brown back he would be the best outfielder.

Biggest thing for me was how well and how deep Detwiler pitched. Remember, he spent about half the year in the bullpen, so he's pretty rested. That rested arm and his trust in his stuff will pay dividends later in the season. And Flores really called a good game I thought. Suzuki is taking notes, for sure.

Timothy: You're right. The future sure looks bright.In Potomac tonight, Meyer pitched another gem, Rendon had a couple of knocks. Martinson knocked in two more runs. Ho hum.I know Martinson is old for a prospect — he's in high A and he'll be 24 this fall, but man, that guy can hit. He's got 21 homers, 102 RBIs, 98 runs scored and 29 stolen bases — in 112 games!

Hey, I stuck with the Redskins after moving west, but I know when I am not wanted. The Ravens have a heritage all the way back to the All American Football Conference and have maintained an old school defensive focus even after moving from Cleveland to Baltimore. The Steelers/Ravens games tend to be the highlight of the season for fans who want to see intense football.The Redskins don't play defense and focus on nothing but gimmicks, their latest being trading all their draft picks away for a quarterback. I still have a fond spot for them, so maybe it will work. If not, maybe Danny will get bored and sell the team. Don't hold your breath. The Redskins haven't been good since the early 90's. The O's haven't been good since the early 80's! Both teams changed ownership and have not been competently run in decades.

why are we talking football on here? hell, I get enough football talk in the middle of a pennant race on our idiotic sports radio stations. If you want to talk football go to Redskin insider or Ravens insider but this is baseball damn it!!Go Nats!!

Does anyone else keep looking at the standings? 52 games to go and the Washington Nationals are in first place, leading by four games, with the best record in baseball, 17 games ahead of the Phillies. It's Iike I have to look again because I am afraid that what I saw the last time I looked was an illusion.

Post of the night, er, morning.And I'm with sjm re. talking that pointy-ball game (or O's, for that matter). Who cares?ehay2k said… Instant bipolar analysis: Detwiler gives up walk and 2 run HR in first, send him down, he stinks. Espinosa at bat with a man on, count the out already, the Nats will lose. ESPI WITH THE TATER!! GYFNG!! Gaahh!! Gorzy coming in with game tied!?! We will LOSE! Fire Davey! Good job by Gorzy! GYFNG!!! Nats hitting STINKS! Fire Rizzo for the weak bench. Tracy with a knock! Gaah! Izzy in to pitch run!?! Terrible idea. Izzy scores!! Rizzo and Davey are the best! Clippard is struggling, stupid Davey, can we bring in Storen already!?! Bernie is the best defensive CF in history! GYFNG!!! August 08, 2012 12:19 AM